Black Ferns contracted squad named in historic announcement

Twenty eight of New Zealand’s top female rugby players have become the first-ever 15s players to be offered Black Ferns contracts, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced today.

The 2018 Black Ferns contracted squad is:

Backs:

Chelsea Alley

Waikato

Ariana Bayler

Waikato

Grace Brooker

Canterbury

Kendra Cocksedge

Canterbury

Krysten Cottrell

Hawke's Bay

Ruahei Demant

Auckland

Kilistina Moata'ane

Otago

Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali

Counties Manukau

Kristina Sue

Manawatu

Renee Wickliffe

Bay of Plenty

Selica Winiata

Manawatu

Forwards:

Eloise Blackwell

Auckland

Les Elder (nee Ketu)

Bay of Plenty

Fiao'o Faamausili

Auckland

Harono Iringa

Counties Manukau

Aldora Itunu

Auckland

Linda Itunu

Auckland

Pip Love

Canterbury

Charmaine McMenamin

Auckland

Toka Natua

Waikato

Joanah Ngan Woo

Wellington

Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate

Counties Manukau

Aleisha Nelson

Auckland

Marcelle Parkes

Wellington

Leilani Perese

Counties Manukau

Dhys Faleafaga

Wellington

Aroha Savage

Counties Manukau

Charmaine Smith

Auckland

The 28 contracted players include 17 Black Ferns from the 2017 World Cup winning side.

Among them is legendary hooker and 2017 World Cup winning captain Fiao’o Faamausili who has put her retirement from international rugby on hold.

Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore said Faamausili was encouraged to lace up her boots and put herself in a position to be considered for the Black Ferns again to bolster the experience among what is likely to be a mixed squad of familiar and new players.

“We are thrilled to offer Fi a contract. She is as fit as she's ever been and is super passionate about being inolved. There are a number of new faces among those named and to have Fi’s skills and experience to call on will be invaluable. She also brings fantastic skills in her position and it’s an area we need to develop with newer players. She can help us with that.

FLASHBACK | With the first ever #BlackFerns professional contracts to be announced on May 23, we take a look back at some classic Black Ferns action with this stunning try from Selica Winiata vs Australia in 2016! ?????? pic.twitter.com/qNgY3e1mpn— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) May 18, 2018

"Among this squad are a number of very talented young players who have been working hard in their clubs and Provincial Unions. Our talent identification programme has helped us develop depth in our wider player pool and the Black Ferns performance at the World Cup has given players something to aspire to."

Moore said the 28 players announced today weren’t necessarily guaranteed a spot in the 2018 Black Ferns team and they would need to continue to work hard in their club teams and provinces to be considered for the black jersey.

“We have a Black Ferns training camp in mid-June when we’ll get a much better idea of how everyone is tracking. There’s also the possibility we’ll offer a contract to players outside of the initial contracted squad.”

Moore said there were two more contracted positions to be filled.

A further 20 women will be identified to make up a wider training squad. The non-contracted players will be part of a high-performance training programme designed to identify and develop the best female rugby talent.

NZR Head of Women’s Rugby Cate Sexton said the signing of contracts, under the newly introduced Black Ferns Performance Programme, marked a significant moment in rugby and reflected the growing interest in women’s rugby in New Zealand as well as globally.

“We have a very talented pool of female players to select from and the pool is increasing every year. We want to make sure we nurture our talent and provide our best players with the training and support they need to achieve at the highest level.

TRIPLE HEADER! The Black Ferns and #MaoriAllBlacks are heading to Chicago's @SoldierField for a historic triple header in November! ????????

"These contracted players will receive a guaranteed retainer to train, assembly fees when they come together for Black Ferns camps and the medical and technical services they need as elite athletes.”

Sexton said girls and women were signing up to play in record numbers all around the country and it was the fastest growing area of rugby.

“It’s an exciting time for women’s rugby and I’m very proud we’ve taken the step forward to contract our female 15s players along with our sevens squad.”

NZR recently announced the Black Ferns would play two Test matches against Australia for the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy. Both August Tests will be double-header fixtures with the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup matches versus Australia.

On 3 November, the Black Ferns will face USA Eagles women in a triple header with the Maori All Blacks v USA Eagles and Ireland v Italy at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Sexton said additional Black Ferns Test matches for their end of year tour programme, would be announced soon.

About the contracts

- Guaranteed retainer for one year (NB the Memorandum of Understanding with NZRPA is due for renegotiation in 2019)- Assembly fees if selected for Black Ferns training camps and fixtures (approximately 50 days/year in total)- Medical and life insurance, an opportunity to join the Player Savings Scheme and KiwiSaver- Technical, tactical, biomechanical, strength and conditioning programming, nutritional advice, medical and sports psychological support- 10-14 hours per week commitment required for rugby training however, priority will be given to ensuring players can maintain their work and study while on the programme- Personal Development to assist in areas of career/education and work, finance and asset protection, character development, mental wellness and other professional rugby obligations and expectations- A Personal Development Manager will be allocated specifically to support the Black Ferns- Parental Policy for players returning to the programme from maternity leave- Remuneration for the players paid out of the Player Payment Pool agreed between NZR and the NZRPA under the existing Collective Employment Agreement (CEA)